Cutoff machine



July 1, 1941. M. G. BOERGER CUTOFF MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 @aux Qi Filed June 5, 1959 July l, 1941. M. G. BoERGr-:R-

CUTOFF MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 5, 1939 July 1, 1941. M. G. Bor-:RGER

CUTOFF MACHINE Filed June' 3, 1939 4 sheets-sheet s July 1, 1941. M G, BQERGER 2,247,766

CUTOFF MACHINE Filed June 5, .1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented July 1, 1941 CUTOFF MACHINE Martin G. Buerger, Racine, Wis., assig-nontol Modine Manufacturing Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin p Application June 3, 1939, Serial No. 277,186

16 Claims.

This invention relates to material feeding and cut-olf machines, and particularly to a cut-01Tv machine having novel mechanism for feeding a strip of tube stock, for example, to a gauge or stop member and cutting device for cutting the strip into suitable or desired lengths and delivering the cut off lportions to a tube forming machine, or the like.

The present invention is an improvement over v the structure disclosed in my United States Letters Patent No. 2,156,049, issued April 25, 1939.

One object of the present invention is to prol vide a machine having mechanism of novel construction and arrangement whereby a strip of tube stock, for example, may be fed to the machine and intermittently cut off into desired lengths. Y

Another object of the invention is to provide novel feeding means-for the strip which will permit of arresting the movement of the strip during the operation of the gauging and cutting devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel actuating means operatively related tothe gauge or stop member and to the cutting device whereby the operations of the stop member and cutting device are maintained substantially in synchronism.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means whereby-the strips may be cut into various length as desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel actuating means operatively related to the gauge or stop members and to the'cutting device whereby the operation of the cutting device is controlled by the relationshipv of the strip of stock to be cut and the stop member.

` Another object of the invention is to provide novel actuating means operatively related to 'the stop member and cutting device whereby the latter is operated by engagement of the stock strip with the stop member.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel construction and arrangement whereby a severed piece of stock cut from the strip may be released from the stop member upon completion of the severing operation of the cutting device.

A still further object of the invention is to improve machines of the character described in sundry details hereinafter referred to and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

One embodiment of the present invention is shown for illustrative purposes in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig.` 1 is a side elevational view of a cut-off machine embodying lfeatures of the present invention; l

Fig. v2 is a diagrammatic elevational view of the gauge or sto'p members and the cutting device operatively related thereto, and illustrating the relationship of the actuating rmeans therefor;

Fig. 3 isa transverse sectional elevational view of the cutting device, and taken substantially asV indicated by the lines 3-3 of Figs. 1 and 4 respectively;

Fig'. 4 is a sectional elevational view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 3', and taken substantially as indicated by lthe line 4--4 thereof;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional elevationalview of the gauge or stop mechanism, taken sub..tan tially as indicated bythe lines` 5-'5 of Figs. 1 and' 6, respectively;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevational view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 5, and taken substantially as indicated by the line 6--6 thereof;

Fig. 'l is a sectional elevational View of a portion of the strip feeding mechanism, and taken substantially as indicated by the line 1-1 of Fig. 1; and 1 Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectionalelevational viewof a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 'L

from a strip of tube stock indicated at B, and' shown asof a long relatively narrow strip of, material suitable for forming tubes for radiator cores, or the like, and delivering or transferring the cut oi sections/or portions to a tube forming machine' indicated 'at I2' (Fig, l), but forming no part of the present invention.

As illustrated in the drawings, the present invention comprises a base, I4 having an upwardly extending portion I5v adjacent one of its ends, and provided throughout a substantial portion of its length with slides or ways I6.

Slidably mounted on and adapted to be moved longitudinally of the way I6 by means of a rack and pinion connection I'l--IB is an adjustable hollow frame I9, and mounted on the upwardly extending portion I5 and frame I9, respectively, are elongated aligned guide members indicated as al whole by the numerals 2| and 2la, respectively, forv guiding the strip B through the machine, the adjacent ends of the members 2| and 2|a being adapted to overlap as indicated at 22 to permit of relative movement of the guide members 2| and 2|a.

'I'he guide members shown, in the present instance, comprise an elongated bed plate 'or table portion 23 having a pair of laterally spaced subl stantially parallel guide bars 24 adjacent its edge portions and provided with a cap plate 25 mounted thereon and forming a channel 26 for directing the tube stock or strip B longitudinally of the machine.

For feeding the strip B to the machine, a pair of upper and lower feed rolls 21 and 28, respectively, are rotatably mounted in a bearing bracket 29 carried by the frame I9, and in conjunction with upper and lower slack rolls, indicated diagrammatically at 3| and 32, respectively, serve to draw the strip of material or tube stock B from a roll 33 of the material rotatably mounted in a bracket 34 carried on the base I4 of the machine, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The slack rolls 3| and 32 may be driven in anysuitable manner, and inasmuch as they form no part of the present invention, and are operatively related to the feed rolls 21 and 28 in substantially the same manner as shown and described in my above noted Patent No. 2,156,049, a more detailed description thereof is believed unnecessary.

The feed rolls 21 and 28 are, preferably, friction driven, and for driving these rolls, a motor 35 is mounted in the slidable frame I9 and operatively connected b`y a chain belt 36 to a shaft 31, on which the feed roll 28 is mounted (Fig. 7) and through a pair of pinions 38 and 39, power is transmitted'to a shaft 4| on which the feed roll 21 is mounted.

Although other types of friction drive may be employed, the preferred type of drive between the feed rolls 21 and 28 and their respective shafts 31.and 4| is clearly illustrated in Fig. 8, particularly the sectioned portion thereof, whereinthe shaft 4| is provided with a sliding ring or collar 42 secured against rotation on the shaft by a key 43 and operatively related to one side of a friction disk 44, the opposite side or face of the disk engaging an inner por-tion of the upper feed roll 21, thereby providing a frictional connection between the shaft 4| and the upper feed roll. The.pressure exerted against the disk 44 is provided by a spring 45, and may be varied yby adjusting a collar A46 longitudinally of the shaft 4|, and securingl the collar in adjusted position by a set-screw 41. l

Mounted also on the hollow frame I9 beyond the feed rolls 21 and28, and suitably spaced therefrom is a cutting device indicated, as a Whole, by the numeral 48 and, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, comprises a base member 49 on which, the bed plate or table portion 23 of the guide member 2| a is mounted, and on Which is secured by meansof bolts 50, a vrelatively stationary cutter o'r knife section 5| (Figs. 3 and 4).

Slidably mounted in the base member 49 at the.

knife section 5| for severing a portion from the strip B when the connected cross-heads 53-54 and cutter 55 are lowered.

For actuating the upper or movable knife section 55, the lower cross-head 53 is connected by a rod 59 to a piston 6| mounted in a cylinder 62 carried by and, preferably, Vwithin the hollow frame I9, and for controlling the movements of the piston 6| within the cylinder, a solenoid air valve 63 is provided, and shown, in the present instance (Fig. 2), as communicating with the cylinder 62 at opposite sides of .the piston 6| by means of conduits 64 and 65, and adapted to communicate with a suitable source of pressure `supply (not shown) through a conduit' 66, the

valve connection to the conduit 65 being normally open to maintain the movable cutter 55, normally in raised position.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that when the solenoid valve 63 is operated to admit air under pressure to the conduit 64, the piston 6| will be forced downwardly, and the movable knife section or cutter 55 actuated to sever a. portion from the strip B, and that when air pressure is admitted to the conduit 65, the piston 6| and movable cutter 55 will be moved to their raised or normal position. Inasmuch as the solenoid valve 63 is of well known standard construction, a detailed description of its construction is thought to be unnecessary.

Mounted on the upwardly extending portion |5 of Athe base I4, on which the guide member 2| is mounted, is a gauge or stop member indicated, as a whole by the numeral 61 and, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 6, comprises a bracket 68, in which is mounted a stop member 69 shown, in -the present instance, as slidably mounted in a guide 1|, and having a contact plate 12 of electric current conducting material mounted on the stop member 69 adjacent its lower end portion and on the side thereof adjacent the cutting device 48.

The contact plate 12 is insulated from the stop member 69 and, as clearly illlustrated in Figs. 2, 5, and 6 is adapted to be positioned in the path of movement of the strip B in a. manner to be engaged by the leading end thereof as the strip is fed into .the machine.

Mounted on the guide 1| and electrically insulated therefrom ls a spring contact finger 13 of current conducting material adapted to engage the contact plate 12, and mounted on the spring nger 13 is a binding post 14 adapted to receive one :end of an electrical conductor 15, the opposite end of which is connected to a contacter 16 of well known construction, which in turn ls operatively and electrically connected by conductors 11 and 18 to the solenoid valve 63, and by conductors 19 and 8| to a service line 82 or other suitable source of current supply.

The circuit of which the electrical conductor 15 forms a part is shown, in the present instance, as including a step down transformer 83 of ordinary construction operatively connected to .the service line 82, and to the contactor 16 by a conductor 84, the secondary winding of the transformer being grounded to the frame of the machine as, for example, to the a conductor 85, thus providing a relatively low voltage circuit for operating the contactor 16.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that when the leading end portion of the strip B, fed along the channel 26 of the guide engages the contact plate an electrical circuit will be established members 2| and 2|a, 12,

guide way 2| by main or'body portion thereof.

For moving the stop member 69 and contact plate 12 out of engagement with the leading end portion of the strip B tobreak the circuit through the contactor 16, and permit the severed portion of the strip to be delivered or transferred from,

the machine, a rock-shaft`86 having a key-way therein is rotatably mounted in bearings 81 on' the bracket 68, bearing 88 on the bracket 29, and in a bearing 89 on an arm or bracket 9| carried by and secured to the base member 49 by bolts' 92 (Figs. 3 and 4). Y

Splined to the rockshaft 86 in a manner to be relativelyv movable longitudinally thereof, but secured against rotation thereon is an arml 93 (Figs. 3 and 4) having Van elongated aperture 94 formed therein adjacent its freeV end portion adapted to receive a pin 975 mounted in the side portions 96 of a forked or U-shaped bracket 91 mounted on and secured to the upper cross-v head 54, of the cutting device 48" by means of bolts 98, the side portions 96 ofthe bracket 91 having vertically extending elongated apertures 99 formed therein and adapted to loosely'receive the rock-shaft 86 in a' manner to permit vertical movement of the cross-head 54 on which the movable knife section or cutter 55 is mounted, without'interference by the rock-shaft.

Mounted also on the rock-shaft 86 and secured against rotation thereon, adjacent the gauge or stop member 61, is a laterally extending cam or finger (Fig. 5) adapted to be positioned, together with the rock-shaft 86, in an enlarged opening |02 formed in the stop member 69, the said opening having a portion |03 extending laterally at one side of the rock-shaft, into which the nger |0| extends, and, by reason of thel engagement of the free end of the cam ornger |0| with the stop. member 69 adjacent the upper side portion |04 of the opening |02, it will be apparent that rotation of the rock-shaft in a clokwise direction" as indicated by the arrow |05 (Fig. 5) will serve to raise the stop member 69 and the contact plate 12 out of the path of movement of the strip B.

It will be observed from the foregoing description and a consideration of Figs. 3 and 5, that when the cross-head 54 (Fig. 3) and movable knife section or cutter 55 mounted thereon is moved downwardly to sever a portion from the strip B, the rock-shaft 86 will be rotated in a clock-wise direction as indicated by the arrow |06 (Fig. 3), and that the cam or finger |0| (Fig. 5) will be rotated also in a clock-wise direction,

as above described, to move the stop member 69 VVtion of the strip B from the machine, a plurality of pairs of transfer rolls |01 and |08, preferably frictionaliy driven, are positioned at the respective opposite sides of the stop member in vertical line with the strip and operatively related thereto.

The delivery rolls |01-|08 may be provided with the type of friction drive illustrated in Figs. '7 and 8 and described with reference to the feed rolls`21 and 28,' and by reason of this type of drive, it will be apparent that a slippage may take place momentarily adjacent the friction disks'of the delivery rolls |08 when the leading end portion of the strip B is in engagement with the stop member and contact plate 12 just prior to the severing of a portion from the strip..

The transfer rolls |01- |08 are operated, at relatively higher speed than the feed rolls 21- ,2l, and are driven, preferably, by a motor |09 (Fig. 1) having a sprocket operatively related to a Y ch'ainl belt ||2 for driving a sprocket ||3 and large gear ||4 mounted on a stub shaft ||5 carried by the bracket 68 (Figs. l and 5). 'I'he gear ||4 is adapted to drive relatively smaller pinions l| |86 associated with the lowermost rolls ofthe re'-A by reason of their relatively high speed, will remove the severed portion rapidly from the machine at a much higher speed than the body portion of the strip B is fed into the machine by the feed rollsv 2-1-28, thereby providing a gap between the trailing end of the severed portion and the then leading end of the strip, into which gap, the stop member and contact plate 12 may drop to be again engagedv by the leading end portion of the strip B as itis fed into the machine, it being understood that immediately upon the removal of the contact plate 12 from engagement with the leading end of the severed portion oi' the strip, the circuit through the contactor 16 will be broken and the solenoid valve will be returned to normal position to admit air pressure through the conduit 65 to raise the movable knife section and cross-head 54, rock the shaft 86\inra counter clock-wise direction and permit the stop'member 69 and contact 12 to assume their normal v during its removal from the machine, the stop member 69 is provided with an anti-friction roller I8 (Figs. 5 and 6) adapted to ride on the severed portion until it has passed the stop member, thereby retaining the contact 12 above the severed portion of the strip, after which the contact 12 again will be positioned in the path of the incoming strip B to be engaged by the leading end thereof.

By reason of the overlapping relationship of the guide members 2| and 2|a indicatedat 22 (Fig. 1), and the adjustability of the frame I9,

on which the cutting device 48 isrnounted, it'

will be apparent that the knife sections 5| and 55 may be positioned as desired with respect to the stop member 69 and contact plate 12 for determining the length of the portion to be severed from the strip B, and when sov adjusted,V the frame. I9 andcutting device 48 mounted thereon may be secured in desired position by well known locking devices indicated at H9 in Fig.'1.

In operation, the strip B is fed into the machine by the frictionally driven feed rolls l21-28 until the leading end of the strip engages the contact plate l2 of the stop member 69 positioned inthe channel 26, at which time the movement of the strip will be arrested, and an electrical circuit completed to actuate the contactor 16 for operating the solenoid valve 63 and admit air under pressure through the conduit 64 into the upper portion of the cylinder 62, thereby forcing the piston 6l and connected parts, including the movable knife Section 55, downwardly to sever a portion from the strip B.

Substantially simultaneously withthe severing of a portion of the strip, the shaft 86 is rocked in its bearingsto lift the stopmember 69 and contact 'l2 from the path of, and out of engagement with the severed portion to permit the removal thereof from the machine by the transfer rolls IUS-|01 and break the circuit through the contactor 16, thus permitting the solenoid valve 63 to return to its normal position for admitting air pressure through the conduit 65 to the lower portion of the cylinder' 62 and'move the piston 6| and movable knife section 55 upwardly, whereupon the feeding of the strip B will be resumed by the feed rolls 21-28.

Owing to the relatively higher speed of the delivery rolls IUT-|08, as above described, the

` severed [portion is quickly removed and a gap created therebetween and the then leading end of the strip B, into which gap the stop member 69 and contact plate 12 may ldrop to be again engaged by the leading end portion of the strip and the operation of the machine repeated.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that the present invention provides a novel construction and yarrangement whereby a strip of material fed to the machine may be intermittently arrested in its movement therethrough and a portion of desired length cut from said strip, and wherein the length of the cut-off portions may be varied as desired. v

Also, that the present invention provides a novel arrangement whereby the operations of thestop member and cutting device are maintained substantially in synchronism, and

whereinthe operation of the cutting device is controlled by the relationship .and cooperation of the strip to be cut with the gauge or stop member.

Obviously, the present invention is not limited to the precise construction and arrangement shown and described, as the same may be variously modified. Moreover, all the features of the invention need not be used conjointly, as the same may be used to advantage in variously different combinations and sub-combinations.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a material feeding and cut-off machine, the combination of a pair of rolls for feeding a strip of material to the machine, a stop member movable into and out of the path of movement of said strip and adaptedto be engaged thereby, means for securing said stop member against movement longitudinally of the machine when engaged by the strip, a cutter Vin spaced relation with respect to said stop member and operatively related to said stop member and controlled by the position thereof with respect to said strip for actuating said cutter.

2. In a material feeding and cut-off machine.,

the combination of a pair of rolls for feeding a' strip of material to the machine, a movable stop member adapted to be engaged byl said strip, andv movable laterally from the path thereof means for securing said stop member against movement with the strip when engaged thereby, a cutter adjustably positioned in spaced relation with respect to said ystop member and operatively related to said strip, and 4means operatively related to said stop member and controlled by the position lthereof with respect to said strip for actuating said cutter to sever a portion from said strip and for removing said stop member from engagement with the strip.

3. In a material feeding and cut-off machine, the combination of a pair of rolls for feeding a strip of material longitudinally to the machine, a stop member movable transversely with respect to the path of movement of the strip `and adapted to be engaged by said strip, means for securing said stop member against movement with the strip when engaged thereby', a cutter adjustably positioned in spaced relation with respect to said stop member and operatively related to said strip, means operatively related to said stop member vand controlled by the position thereof with respect to said strip for actuating said cutter to sever a portion from said strip, and means for removing said severed portion from the machine.

4. In a material feeding and cut-off machine, the combination of a pair of rolls for feeding a strip of material to the machineia movable stop member positioned normally in the path of movement of the strip and adapted to be engaged thereby, means for securing said stop member against movement longitudinally of the machine when engaged by the strip, a cutter in spaced relation with respect to said member and operatively related to said strip, and means operatively related to said stop member and controlled by the engagement of the strip with said member for actuating said cutter to sever a portion from said strip and for moving said stop member out of the path of movement of the strip substantially simultaneously with the severing of said portion.

5. In a material feeding and cut-off machine, the combination of a pair of rolls for feeding a strip of material to the machine, a movable stop member positioned normally in the path of movement of the strip and adapted to be engaged by the leading end portion thereof, means for securing said stop member against movement longitudinally of the machine when engaged by the strip, a cutter adjustably positionedin spaced relation with respect to said stop member and `operatively related to said strip, means operatively related to said stop member and controlled by the engagement of the strip with said member for actuating said cutter to sever a portion from said strip, means for removing the stop member laterally from the path of the strip upon the severance of a portion thereof, and a pair of relatively high speed rolls for removing said severed portion from the machine in alignment with respect to the incoming strip.

6. In a material feeding and out-off machine, the combination of a pair of rolls for feeding a strip of material to the machine, a movable stop member adapted to be engaged by said amamos member and electrically connected to said strip i for controlling the operation erating means.

7. In a material feeding and cut-off machine, the combination of a pair of rolls forfeeding a strip vof material vto the machine, amovable stop member adapted `tobegengaged by said strip, a cutter in spaced .relation with respect to Y-said stop member and operatively related to said strip, fluid pressure actuated means vfor operating said cutter, .and means operatively irelated to said stop lmember 'and striprfor controlling the operation of said fluid pressure actuated means.

8. In a material Vfeeding and cut-oi machine, the combination of a pair yof rolls for ,feeding a strip of material to the kmachine, a movable stop member adapted `to be engaged .by said strip, acutter in spaced relation with respect of said cutter opto said stop member 'and operatively related to4 -said strip, fluid pressure actuated means .for operating sa'id cutter, `and Aelectrical means operatively'related to said stopmember .and controlled by engagement of .the strip therewith .for oon-` trolllngfthe operation of saidiluid pressure actuoperation of Asaid pressure actuated means, said electrical means including :an electricl .circuit adapted `to be closed by engagement of the :strip with said stopjmjember, and means yoperatively related .to said lcutterandxstop member and loperable kby 'the cutting; lmovement of the cutter to remove the stop :member from Vthe v.path of said strip. I

12.ZIn a material feeding and cut-off machine, the combination of a pairof .rolls for feeding a stripyof material `to the imachine,.a kmovable stop membergpositione'd normally in the path of movement fof the strip..and. adapted to :be engaged by the leading end portionthereof, a cutter adjustablyfpositio'iied in spaced relation `with re- -spect to said stop memberand operatively .re-

lated to .said str iplfor severing a portion therefrom, pressure ictuatedmeans forfoperating said cutter, electrical Y" means operatively rrelated to said .stop membernand strip f or controlling the operation `of said'A `pressure actuatedmeans, saidVY electrical lmeari's: including an electric ycircuit adapted to 'be closed by engagementof the strip with said stop member, arock shaft .having .an

stop member and strip for. controlling the operation of said pressure actuated means, and .means operatively related to said cutter and stop member yand voperable by the movement of the lcutter for determining the position of the vstop member with respect to the path of .said strip. n

10In a material feeding and cut-off machine, the combination of a pair of rolls for feeding a strip of material to the machine, a movable stop member positioned normally in the path of movement of the strip and adapted to be engaged by the leadingend portion thereof, a cutter in spaced relation with respect to said stop member and operatively related to said strip .for severing a portion therefrom, pressure actuated means for operating said cutter, electrical .means operatively related to said stop member and strip for controlling the operation of said pressure actuated means, and `means Aoperatively related to said cutter and stop member and operable by the cutting movement of the cutter to remove the stop member from the path of said strip.

11. In a material feeding and cut-off machine, the combination of .a pair of :rolls for feeding :a strip of material to the machine, va, movable stop member positioned normally in the zpath of movement of the strip and adapted `to be engaged -by the leading end portion thereof, a cutter ladsaid stop member and strip for controlling the 75 gagement of the leading end 0f Said Strip With.;

arm operatively 1rela'tedjto said cutter and hav- 'ing a laterally ,extending portion operatively 'related to said 'stop membergfor .removing thejstop member gfrom erigag'ement'withthe leading end of 'said strip whenlthe cutter is moved to sever a portion therefrom.

13. In a material'feeding and cut-off machine,

the lcombinationl of*l a pair' of :rolls .for feeding a y.strip of material-to the machine,y a movable stop 'member positioned normally in the path yof movement of vthe strip and adapted to be engaged by theleading end portion thereof, a cutter adijustably positioned in spaced relation with respect to `said stop member and operatively .re-

lated to said str-ip for-severing a portion there- "from, pressure actuated .means including a sole- .noid air valve for -operating said cutter, electrical means operativelyl related to said 'stop member and strip for controlling the operation of said `solenoid valve, .said electrical means including :an .electr-ic circuit adapted 'to vbe closed vby 'engagement `of the strip `with .said stop member, `a `rook shaft having an arm operatively related to said `cutter and. having a laterally extending portion operatively related to said stop member for removing the stop vmember from engagement 'with the-leading end ofsaid strip to break said electricalv circuit when the cutter is moved to sever a portion .from said strip, and transfer rolls of relatively higher 'speed than said feeding rolls for removing the severed portion of lation to said stop member, said cutter being operatively related to said strip for severing a portion therefromga pressure `cylinder having a `piston therein operatively `connected to said 4cutter frame, asolenoid valve connected -to a source ofpressure supply and communicating with said cylinder .in operativel relationship with respect to said piston, an electric circuit'connected to vsaid contact .and operatively .related to said solenoid valve, said circuit being completed by ensaid electrical contact for actuating said cutter, a rock shaft having an arm connected to said cutter frame and having a finger engaging said stop member for raising the electrical contact out of engagement with the adjacent end of the strip when the cutter is operated to sever a portion from the strip, relatively high speed transfer rolls for removing the severed portion from the machine, and means operatively related to said stop member for retaining the electrical contact out of engagement with the severed portion of the strip during its removal from the machine.

15. In a material feeding and cut-olf machine, the combination of a pair of friction driven rolls for feeding a strip of material to the machine, a vertically movable stop member including an electric contact positioned normally in the path of movement of said strip and adapted to bev engaged by the leading end portion thereof, a vertically movable cutter having a frame positioned adjustably in spaced relation with respect to said stop member, said cutter being operatively related to said strip for severing a portion therefrom, a pressure cylinder having a piston therein operatively connected to said cutter frame, a solenoid valve connected to a source of pressure supply and communicating with said cylinder at opposite sides of said piston, an electric circuit connected to said contact and operatively related to said solenoid valve, said circuit being completed by engagement of the leading end of said strip with said electrical contact for actuating said a,247,7ee

cutter, a rock shaft having an arm connected to said cutter frame and having a nger engaging said stop member for raising the electrical contact out of engagement with the adjacent end of the strip when the cutter is operated to sever a portion from said strip, relatively high speed friction driven transfer rolls for removing the severed portion from the machine, andy means on said stop member engageable with the severed portion of the strip for retaining the electrical contact out of engagement therewith during the removal of said severed portion from the machine. Y

16. In a material feeding and cut-off machine, the combination of `a pair of rolls for feeding a strip of material to the machine, a vertically movable stop member having an electrical contact mounted thereon and insulated therefrom, said contact being adapted to be positioned in the path of movement of the strip, through the machine and to be engaged thereby, a cutter for severing a portion of predetermined length from said strip While in engagement with said stop, meansv operatively related to the cutter for moving the contact out of engagement with said strip, means for removing the severed portion from the machine, and a roller on said stop member engageable with said severed portion for retaining the contact out of engagement withA said portion during the removal thereof.

MARTIN G BOERGER. 

